Mwaghavul (Sura)
Language Features
The younger generation of the Mwaghavul, educated and conscious, are not naïve about their socio-cultural position, neither are they oblivious of the siege to their language and existing ways of living by the lack of institutional efforts, globalization, and their aggressive neighbors (Hausa). Rather than passively accepting the declining role of their language and cultural institutions in their lives, these younger people, wherever they may be found, are forming social and cultural associations, and support groups geared towards the revitalization and sustenance of their language and culture as well as towards economic empowerment of its indigenes. For instance, there is the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) in Lagos. It bills itself as “a cultural ethnic group of the people of Plateau state under Mangu local government area”. Using Facebook, it advertises its activities and promotes cultural events. Most importantly however, is the collective socialization and enculturation of members that this platform provides. For instance, among the many requests on its pages are questions about Mwaghavul cultural practices. For instance, one of the posted questions reads: “What is the process of socialisation in Mwaghavul under the following: eating habit, singing and dancing, greeting habit, language development, and family roles? “Another asks “if a Mwaghavul indigene wants to get married, there are rites and procedures they should observe. What are these things that need to be done? Members post both in English and in Mwaghavul language. The Facebook page has 9201 followers. Another Facebook is the Mwaghavul Cultural Enforcement Team- Mwacet, a Non-Governmental Organization restricted to only Mwaghavul sons and daughters that aims at revitalizing its culture. Another Facebook group is The Mwaghavul Culture And Heritage with 10, 791 members. It describes itself as “THE MWAGHAVUL CULTURE is a non- religion group born out of hunger to learn some Mwaghavul lexicon we are use (sic) to, and most importantly our norms, ethics, and values. Finally, to use this medium and foster our conventional slogan; WALSHAK, BAMSHAK, BALKAA MPE SEKYEN KII YIL!!!.” The site’s profile image is the plateau with its lush green environment and its slogan reads: “Mwaghavul is not just a language but a cultural movement. It is our heritage”. Aside from these and other Facebook sites, there is a Mwaghavul Website with the sole purpose of providing information about Mwaghavul. It contains information about the language and the people, and hosts pictures and music videos. The images cover their musical instruments, agriculture, and farming implements, Mangu Market, and landscape of the Mwaghavul. Collectively, these younger people are using social media to promote their language and culture, create social awareness among their people towards the sustenance of their way of life and specifically seek economic empowerment of members. One of the slogans on the Mwaghavul Cultural Enforcement Team- Mwacet, is: “Mwaghavul is not just a language but a cultural movement. It is our heritage.”
For Mwaghavul cultural dance and attires, festival and cultural heritage see: